“Forcefulness” and “gentleness” mingle in this very sculpture. Here before us stands the Abraham Lincoln Bust. It’s more than just a sculpture. It is a window into the soul of a president.
This bust, crafted by Gutzon Borglum in 1908, captures Lincoln’s iconic features. Notice his deep-set eyes and prominent lower lip. Even his wart is visible. Borglum masterfully captured Lincoln’s essence in marble.
Borglum didn’t create a clay model first. He carved directly into the marble. He wanted to freely express Lincoln’s character. Borglum aimed to convey Lincoln’s personality. He didn’t just want a realistic portrait.
The right side of Lincoln’s face shows his intellect. His forcefulness shines through. His common sense is etched in stone. But the left side reveals his spiritual side. His gentleness is palpable. Borglum captured the weight of Lincoln’s inner life.
Robert Todd Lincoln, the president’s son, praised the bust. He called it the most extraordinarily good portrait he had ever seen. He felt it spoke for itself as a work of art.
Eugene Meyer Jr. donated the bust to Congress. It was accepted in 1908. The pedestal was designed by Borglum and installed in 1911. The bust was displayed in the Rotunda for many years. In 1979, it was moved to the Crypt.
The sculpture is 40 inches high. It weighs about 375 pounds. You can see “Gutzon Borglum/1908” inscribed on the left side. The pedestal reads “Presented to Congress by Eugene Meyer Jr. Of New York City.”
Curator Charles Fairman noted the bust’s impact. He said it met with the approval of thousands of visitors. They saw it as a unique specimen of Borglum’s art.
Although Borglum wanted the bust to be unique, molds were made. Bronze casts exist in various locations. You can find them at the White House and the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois. They’re also at the Chicago Historical Society.
Gutzon Borglum is famous for Mount Rushmore. He sculpted the heads of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. Borglum was born in Idaho. He apprenticed as a lithographer and fresco painter. He lived in many places, including Paris. He became friends with Auguste Rodin. Borglum’s works are often large-scale public monuments.
Another Lincoln bust resides at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands. Robert Watchorn donated that shrine to the city. It includes a bust of Lincoln by George Grey Bernard. Watchorn also donated his collection of Lincoln and Civil War items.
The Lincoln Shrine in Redlands is octagonal. It was designed by Elmer Grey. Dean Cornwell painted the mural on the ceiling. The shrine was dedicated on Feb. 12, 1932.
Robert Watchorn built the shrine in memory of his son, Emory Watchorn. Emory shared his father’s interest in Lincoln.
Consider the impact of this Abraham Lincoln Bust. It’s not just a sculpture. It is a testament to Lincoln’s enduring legacy. It reflects the artist’s skill and the president’s profound character.